The Texas Legislature adjourned on June 2, 2003. Two proposed bills with potential relevance for evolution education, HB 1172 and HB 1447, died at adjournment. Both bills were related to textbook adoption procedures and the state Board of Education. Either could have made it easier for pressure groups opposing evolution to have more influence in Texas, one of the largest textbook markets in the country. See previous items about these bills on this page for more details.

NCSE executive director Dr. Eugenie C. Scott will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree from one of Canada's premier institutions of higher learning, McGill University. The ceremony will take place on June 3, 2003, in Montreal, Canada.

SB1125 was introduced in the state Senate on April 29 and referred to the Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs. This bill is very similar to HB1782 which was tabled in the House of Representatives on April 30. The Senate committee has taken no action to date on SB1125.

M. Patricia Morse is the 2003 recipient of the Education Award from the American Institute of Biological Sciences. The award is presented annually to individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to education in the biological sciences. Morse, a marine biologist and science educator at the University of Washington, is a lifetime member of NCSE. Congratulations from all of us at NCSE!